Sydney, June 25, 2004. The footy Show’s Reg Reagan, the alter-ego of ex-rugby league player Matthew Johns, meets a young look-a-like during a DVD signing at Sydney’s Virgin Mega Store. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
First, some background. I’m probably a fairly unlikely candidate to review such a program. I haven’t watched its rival The Footy Show for years and normally view ‘Family Entertainment’ in the same way I view ‘Family Restaurants’. No thanks.
But let’s face it, there is some interest.
Here is a bloke that less than twelve months ago was being told by the court of public opinion that he’d never work again and would possibly have to move overseas. Forget forgiveness, you just want to dig and keep digging.
So the ‘never work again’ actually becomes a promotion where you go from being a panellist to hosting your own show. You have to love the way a celebrity-obsessed culture has a collective memory of about seven seconds.
Oh, that scandal.
But the wagons have moved on, so what about the show itself.
Well, I was relieved when Johns got over what appeared to be some initial nerves to use the phrase “champion bloke”. That utterance made it clear I was watching a rugby league chat show.
Of course, the show will inevitably be compared with Nine’s Footy Show, and while it looked like Seven had opened the war chest to give the show a slicker production value, Johns and Webcke both looked nervous (Webcke proclaiming the Sea Eagles would be back on track when they in fact play in Gosford, probably illustrating it best) when compared with the hugely experienced duo of Sterling and Vautin.
The controversy corner segment was a winner, with Willie Mason (a top guest to have first up) happy to play his role of pantomime villain and Paul Kent asking questions which varied from the usual “how good is he going” line you get on such programs.
The current players’ involvement didn’t change much from their usual segments, although a quiz in which players help an audience member answer questions about their own home is a new low for the TV quiz format.
John’s comic characters only left me remembering Reg Reagan, but I’m sure the school yards will be re-telling each joke tomorrow, while Jason Stevens looks to fill the role of universally derided panel member.
Truth be told, I watched the whole thing just to see what the public at large was making of Johns’ public return. So maybe the worm would have been helpful.
It’s unlikely I’ll be back, but that was always the case.
The big question will be whether it can differentiate itself from Nine’s show to be a viewing alternative or whether Seven’s investment back in rugby league is setting itself up for a whole bigger ball game down the track.
Lorry
Guest
How can everyone just forget the scandal Matthew Jones was involved in? He shouldn't be back on TV. Open your eyes and read this article: Matty Johns' free ride back to fame http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/43591
jimbo
Roar Guru
Matt's new show got more than twice the ratings of the footy show on Nine http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/matty-johnss-new-footy-show-rates-well-20100326-r0nj.html But you'd have to wait a few weeks to see how it goes before planning a second series. Matt's talented and can make you laugh so he should still have work in League circles for a few years yet, just needs to be a bit more selective about who he sleeps with.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure that "if anything willie got the better of him" wouldn't be going in the resume! I don't know if there is room for two lukewarm skit shows masquerading as sport
AGO74
Guest
I agree with you Tammy on the Gus comments. As a Bulldogs fan, I used to hate Gus with a passion due to his Roosters bias, but since he has ditched them I really enjoy his commentary on the footy coverage (except for the "no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no" soapboxing he does every now and then).
M1tch
Roar Guru
The footy show should have had Gus v Robert Finch last night.
AGO74
Guest
spot on m1tch. it's only round 3 for this year and i think the amount of footy show skits where the core joke surrounds daryl brohman being a big fat bloke must be in double figures by now. at least they got rid of voss for this year. as for the matt johns show. satisfactory. the need some better writers for his charachters if they want to pursue that. as somebody else said, maybe they should pare back a charachter or two. why is shane webcke wearing a suit when everyone else is in regular gear? it made him look stupid if anything?! paul kent tried to apply the blowtorch on willie mason but i think if anything willie got the better of him by not biting and answering most questions reasonably well. well, maybe not that well, but he didn't take paul kent's average bait.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Shane Webcke and the Channel 7 Orchestra :P
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Yeah maybe they needed Webcke on bass in the band to be the proper late show style sidekick.
BigAl
Guest
We'll just have to wait & see, but its been tried and failed before ! - wasn't there a show 'The Hard Yards' on 7 years ago, trying to ride on the coat tails of the (then) popularity of The Footy Show. That didn't last too long ! Same with the AFL - years ago Ch. 7 tried it, even recruiting the producer (& others) of the Ch. 9 Footy Show. That barely lasted a season.
oikee
Guest
Agree 100% Tammy, these guys need to loosen up abit. The footy show with Fatty rocks. Even Sterlo is showing signs of nerves with Queensland looking at 5 straight origin wins. :) We have NSW on the ropes, believe me, with Queensland, we are not taking any prisoners. :) I think origin is going to a whole new level. Bring it on, baby, bring it on. :)
Col the Bear
Guest
maybe he can promote the NSW cup more then, and put that on his show..and the QRL..show some footage of that if he can't show NRL material..
TammyS
Guest
You people should watch the footy show. I reckon its got better. They're talking more footy and cut back on the skits and those silly competitions. I kinda enjoyed the show last night except for that stupid skit with sami lukis at the end. The Beau ryan and Fatty's facebook segments were hilarious. They just need to get Gus on more often but I think they're starting to get the balance right. The matty johns show had way too many skits but it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be
soapit
Guest
i think they'd be able to show clips to some extent. the panel used to do it and there was some kinda court case which they won about it
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
As I said, I'm not a fan of the shows Big Al but I'm not so sure with your prediction. Seven obviously think the idea has legs, so while Nine's version has been hammered by people for years another station has decided to pretty much copy the idea. If they are all showing NRL footage with the next TV deal they could all be in on it. Remember its super cheap to produce as well and stations love not spending cash to produce content and it also counts as Australian content which leaves more money for american sitcoms. Oh joy.
M1tch
Roar Guru
lol 1994 footy show I thought it was going to start out like Letterman, with a band and webby as sidekick I thought he would open with a monologue
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Agree Brett, I'll admit I don't know too many details of this bitter 'split' but he seemed to be making a joke of it all. Hard to take it seriously after last night.
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Agree with all this, can't see how they decided to launch with that Don Kirk segment. But importantly Vautin and Sterling were fair dinkum amateur hour when it kicked off, remember the World's Biggest Barbie?
M1tch
Roar Guru
with a 3pm kick off though, I dont think its going to rate big
oikee
Guest
Anyone here from Melbourne? just found out that the good Friday match will be shown live into Melbourne. Finally. The stupidity is that they are delaying the telecast into Sydney. ? Mate, i think 9 has serious issues, remember years and years ago they would not show games live unless they sold out. ? Those days are long gone. We never get sold out games. :)
M1tch
Roar Guru
Kinda remember, but its good Remeber Mason and Mini back in 02 or 03 at the Showground they did the same thing and I think a actual fight had broken out just before good to have a bit of fun